Speakers

Peter Simcock

Dr Peter Simcock is Senior Lecturer in Social Work at Birmingham City University, UK.  Prior to working in social work education, he was a specialist social worker with d/Deaf and deafblind people, and has a long-standing practice and research interest in deafblindness.  His doctoral studies focused on the lived experience of vulnerability among adults ageing with deafblindness, and he is currently leading a study on the implementation of specific legal provisions in relation to social care for deafblind people in England.  Peter is the Chair of the Deafblind International Acquired Deafblindness Network and an Ambassador for Deafblind UK.

Sampada Shevde

Sampada Shevde oversees Perkins India’s programs. A 1999 graduate of Perkins International’s rigorous Educational Leadership Program, Shevde now drives Perkins India’s locally facing operations, working on developing future partnerships and programs to grow impact. She has successfully initiated collaborations with government organizations and routinely delivers trainings and works with teachers and families in the community. She has previously worked for Sense International, India and Helen Keller Institute for Deaf & Deafblind. Her roles over the years have included training manager, principal, coordinator and special educator, and she has consulted and conducted trainings and workshops throughout India and Southeast Asia. Shevde has also authored and contributed to various publications and educational training materials. She holds a master’s degree in education from SNDT Women’s University in Mumbai and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Mumbai University. She has presented several papers in conferences –nationally and internationally on topics related to educational intervention for children with MDVI and human resource development in the field of deafblindness.   

She is a recipient of the Annie Sullivan Award from Perkins International in 2019 for her commendable contribution in the field of disability, and the recipient of Best Alumnus award from SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai.

Sheridan Forster

Sheridan is a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist. In 2011, she completed doctoral studies, looking at interactions between adults with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities and their support staff. She has worked in the government and non-government sector in Australia and the UK. Sheridan currently combines research, training and practice.  She focuses on contributing to best practice in the communication support of adults with disabilities.

David Murray

David is the Executive Officer of Deafblind Australia, a role he has held for the past seven years. Being deafblind himself and having lived in Perth, Melbourne and the Gold Coast, David has extensive networks in the Australian Deafblind community and knowledge of the impacts of deafblindness. David oversees the national service delivery of accessible information, service and supports to people with deafblindness and their supporters. David is passionate about providing capacity building project opportunities that empower Deafblind Australians to be self-determined and stand up for themselves as contributing members of our society.

Heather Lawson

Heather Lawson has Usher Syndrome Type 1 and communicates with tactile Auslan and braille. She works as a deafblind advocate, mentor and trainer. Heather created Deafblind World, an experiential Deafblind awareness workshop that she has delivered to groups such as local government, Public Transport Victoria, NDIA staff, interpreters and Auslan students and so on. In 2007, Heather co-founded Deafblind Victoria (DBV), a group run by and for Deafblind people. Heather currently serves on DBV’s Committee of Management.

Melanie Robartson

Melanie has worked as a Speech Pathologist for over 20 years. The majority of this time has been spent in the disability sector in Western Australia and has included direct client services in Early, School Age and Adult Intervention programmes, consultancy, training and project work.

She joined SensesWA in 2008 and so began her introduction to deafblindness. She currently holds the positions of Senior Speech Pathologist, Deafblind Consultant and Project Officer for Deafblind Information Australia.

Rita Kleinfeld Fowell

Rita has Ushers Syndrome and is deafblind. Rita is originally from Sydney but now lives in Western Australia via the UK. Rita has been a Lawyer for over 20 years, having worked with Slater+Gordons and at a MIDLAS – a Community Law Centre, for the last five years. Rita specialises in complex Human Rights cases, the Royal Commission on Disability Abuse, and within the Disability and Age discrimination arena. Rita is currently a Disability Ministerial Advisor to Minister for Disabilities in WA - Don Punch, whilst she is the chairperson and Boards Member for two disability Providers. She also has a Masters and a Doctorate in Law and is a skilled meditator. She loves walking with her retired and Current Guide dog, Ivy and Joel, in her spare time. 

Steve Ripley

Steve is DeafBlind, and currently works as a DeafBlind Practitioner; providing DeafBlind Communication training, Braille training, DeafBlind Awareness training, and DeafBlind consultancy. He has worked as an Actor with the Theatre of the Deaf, Teacher with TAFE presenting in Visual Communication, Auslan Grammar, and History of Deaf Education. Steve has worked in a number of roles with Deaf and DeafBlind Organisations in NSW. His most recent role was providing DeafBlind consultancy and training with CDAH’s Hunter DeafBlind Project. Steve’s motto is “There is never only one way to do something”. Using this motto Steve works at changing the way people perceive DeafBlindness.

Trudy Ryall

Trudy Ryall is deafblind with ushers type 2. She has a sibling with the same condition and a partner of ten years who is deafblind. Trudy has been invlolved in disability advocacy since she was a teenager who was firstly deaf, when she was in her 30's Trudy was diagnosed with a vision loss retina pigmentosa. 

In 2007 Trudy became one of the co-founders of Deafblind Victoria along with Michelle S and Heather L. There is a long history with how DBV started with no Government funding to support the deafblind community cause to create jobs for deafblind people. Deafblind Victoria now employs 6 deafblind people. Deafblind Victoria has participated in protests, projects, presenting and many other tasks as volunteers. 

Trudy is employed as an administrator, editor, grants and events manager of Deafblind Victoria. 

Trudy dreams to create a fairer society for all deafblind people to have opportunities in every aspect throughout their lives.

Catriona Pine

Catriona Pine is a clinical senior speech language pathologist who has worked in special schools in Brisbane for over 25 years. She has worked with a wide variety of students with complex communication needs supporting development of AAC systems, and during the last year has become the SLP working in Queensland Statewide Vision Services supporting deafblind students. One of her favourite things is building relationships with students, and together finding their authentic voice.

Claire Fraser

Claire Fraser is a registered Creative Arts Therapist and works as a Creative Arts Therapist and a Deafblind Consultant at Able Australia. Claire has a special interest in working creatively with people with congenital deafblindness and their support networks.

Louisa Willoughby

Louisa is a sociolinguist/ applied linguist based in Melbourne, Australia. She is deeply interested in how multlicultural societies responds to linguistic diversity. Louisa works with mainstream institutions such as schools, hospitals and libraries in Australia to explore better ways of engaging with clients from non-English speaking backgrounds and developing multilingual language proficiency. Much of Louisa's recent work looks at Deaf sign language users, but she also has a strong interest in migrant languages, especially for small and newly-arrived migrant groups.

Peter Cracknell

Peter Cracknell is Quantum RLV's most experienced Assistive Technology consultant, across all areas including braille, print access, deafblindness, low vision and dyslexia. Starting his career as the Disability Access Officer for English National Opera in 1989, Peter instituted Sennheiser hearing systems throughout the 2000 seat auditorium, alternative format newsletters including audio and braille, and sign-interpreted opera performances. Migrating to Australia in 1996, Peter has been an innovator in print accessibility, collaborating with all the major vision agencies and authorities, and particularly focused on better outcomes in Education, Employment and improvements to quality of life.

Adrienne Harper-Pike

Adrienne Harper-Pike has spent the last decade creating safe and inclusive practice in linguistically and culturally diverse communities. She has a Masters Degree in Social Work from Gallaudet University in Washington, DC. Her training and education were focused on bi-lingual, bi-cultural models of practice in the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and Deafblind communities with a focus on intersectionality of sexuality and gender diversity. With experiences spanning from individual and group counselling to early intervention with disengaged and at-risk youth, to research, policy reform and inclusive practice. Adrienne values social justice, human rights and inclusion. Most recently, Adrienne, has been a Project Manager with Deafblind Australia focusing on the creation of Information, resources and workshops created and led by individuals with Deafblindness. 

Annmaree Watharow

Dr Annmaree Watharow is an ex-medical practitioner, has a Masters in Psychological Medicine and recently completed her PhD on the hospital experiences of people living with sensory disabilities. Her current research and advocacy work centres around improving accessibility, communication, care and outcomes for people living with disabilities. She champions the power of narrative medicine, with too many stories remaining untold because we don't provide inclusive, safe and accessible narrative spaces for all who need them. Annmaree has the living experience of deafblindness and brings true co-creation processes to her research, staunchly standing by the 'nothing about us, without us' sentiment.

Cindy Wilson

Cindy Wilson is an Orientation and Mobility Specialist working at Guide Dogs NSW/ACT for the past 14 years. Cindy works predominantly in providing service delivery for clients with Neurological Vision Loss. Cindy also has a passion for use of technology in Orientation & Mobility, including GPS navigation apps, electronic mobility aids, and reviewing new technologies in the O&M space.

Matt Cameron

Matt Cameron lives with Usher Syndrome T2 and was born in Newcastle, NSW but is now currently residing in Perth, WA. Matt is currently studying Sport Science at ECU whilst living independently from his family. He is a current Australian and Western Australian Blind Cricketer where he loves to share his experience and help others to achieve their goals in life.

Melanie Robartson

Melanie has worked as a Speech Pathologist for over 20 years. The majority of this time has been spent in the disability sector in Western Australia and has included direct client services in Early, School Age and Adult Intervention programmes, consultancy, training and project work.

She joined SensesWA in 2008 and so began her introduction to deafblindness. She currently holds the positions of Senior Speech Pathologist, Deafblind Consultant and Project Officer for Deafblind Information Australia.

Phoebe Wells

Phoebe is a recent graduate from Rehabilitation Counselling degrees at La Trobe University. She began working in deafblind services at the end of 2020 and has been eager to expand her knowledge and skillset through further experience. Phoebe currently works in numerous roles at Able Australia including Behaviour Support Practitioner, Deafblind Consultant and Project Officer for the Deafblind Information Australia project.

Anne Ruwoldt

Anne first connected with the Adelaide Deafblind community in 2015 whilst studying Auslan and has been volunteering and working with the Deafblind community as a Communication Guide since 2016. Anne has a background in medical research and teaching, a Diploma of Interpreting and coordinates the Deafblind Association of South Australia. She currently works for the Royal Society for the Blind, and as a Project Officer for Deafblind Australia on the Seen and Heard project.

David Murray

David is the Executive Officer of Deafblind Australia, a role he has held for the past seven years. Being deafblind himself and having lived in Perth, Melbourne and the Gold Coast, David has extensive networks in the Australian Deafblind community and knowledge of the impacts of deafblindness. David oversees the national service delivery of accessible information, service and supports to people with deafblindness and their supporters. David is passionate about providing capacity building project opportunities that empower Deafblind Australians to be self-determined and stand up for themselves as contributing members of our society.

Deafblind Victoria

Deafblind Victoria (DBV) is a self-advocacy group run by six Deafblind staffs and two of Project Manager and Project officer and for Deafblind people in Victoria, Australia.

The main activities of DBV are:

1. Deafblind social events and peer support

2. Deafblind awareness workshops

3. Producing and sharing information and resources

4. Advising and consulting about deafblindness

Elisa Lydiard

Elisa is a NAATI Deaf Interpreter and Auslan Teacher of 25 years at Southbank TAFE. She worked for ten years, as an Auslan and DAT Educator at Queensland Police Academy under Queensland Police Services. Elisa has worked in the field of deafblindness for 3 years, initially as a volunteer with the Deafblind International World Conference on the Gold Coast and then as a project officer with Able Australia’s Deafblind Employability project. She currently works as a project officer with Deafblind Australia on the Seen and Heard Project.

Erika Webb

Erika Webb is the Project Officer at Deafblind West Australians.  Erika has a Diploma of Governance.  Erika has lifelong low vision due to Albinism   Erika has a strong background in disability advocacy, administration, project management, policy development and governance.  Erika has worked in the blindness sector for many years and now works and volunteers in the deafblindness sector.  Erika has had committee roles on a number of peer led and peer run disability organisations.

Ian Ketteringham

Ian Ketteringham is the director of Tennis Pro Services, Perth.  He has more than 30 years coaching experience and is founder of the first Blind/low vision & deaf tennis program in WA.  Alongside his award winning tennis coaching business, Ian is one of only two Master Club Professional coaches in WA.  Ian and his team are passionate about inclusion and the importance of sport throughout our lives.  He has run coaching programs for BlindSports WA, the MDF (movement disorder foundation), wheelchair tennis coaching and people with intellectual disabilities. In January 2022 he ran the first WA BLV/deaf tennis competition and is constantly looking for ways to improve the current BLV/deaf tennis experience and engage more people in this great sport.

Kirsty Lim

Kirsty Lim is the Committee for Deafblind West Australians. Kirsty have Congenital Rubella Syndrome since her birth. Kirsty is qualified Assistive Technology Mentor that she has completed her studies in Certificate IV Assistive Technology Mentoring course. Kirsty works as her role is Peer Mentor for DBWA Connect she runs the hub for the deafblind community.

Sarah Dalton

Sarah is an advocate with CHARGE Syndrome, her story featured on Attitude TV, a company which promotes engaging stories of people who live with a disability. She is an accomplished horse rider, having competed in Special Olympics at a national level. Special Olympics New Zealand offered her paid employment in 2021 working in their Media department. Sarah has strong opinions on inclusion and how disabled persons are portrayed in the media. A highlight of her career was an acting role, playing Lily, on POWER RANGERS DINO FURY. She enjoys music, travelling and spending time with friends and family.

Vanessa Vlajkovic

Vanessa is a 24-year-old woman living with acquired deafblindness. In 2021 Vanessa completed her Masters degree in writing, editing and publishing, from the University of Queensland. After graduating, she set up her business providing motivational and educational speaking services across WA. Vanessa's hobbies include ballroom dancing and tennis, but she also loves to be at the beach and reading a book.

Diane Bell

Diane Bell is an Associate Professor at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in the Faculty of Business and Management Sciences (Cape Town, South Africa).  She is also a Research Fellow at the University of Stellenbosch Business School. Her research focuses on disability, inclusive education and accessible assistive technology. In 2017 she worked at the World Health Organization in Geneva, as a member of the GATE team, and subsequently as a consultant to WHO. Here she worked on projects related to advancing access to assistive technology globally, from product procurement to product specifications. Being mother to a daughter born with a profound hearing impairment, she is a strong advocate for the rights of persons with hearing loss and serves on the Presidential Working Group on Disability for South Africa, the WHO World Hearing Forum and as Board Chair of the Carel du Toit Trust, an NPO which works to enable deaf children to hear and speak, through the use of assistive hearing technologies and auditory-verbal rehabilitation.  Bell holds a PhD in Education with specialization in Curriculum Studies from Stellenbosch University in the Western Cape, South Africa, and an MBA degree.  

Karen Wickham

Karen Wickham Grey has worked with Senses WA for the past 17 years.  Karen’s current roles include: Senior Social Worker, Deafblind Consultant and Specialist Support Coordinator , she is also Project Coordinator for two of Deafblind West Australians current projects, DBWA Connect and “Stronger Together”.  Her many roles over the years have evolved and been driven by her passion working with the deafblind community particularly in the area of advocacy and peer support. Karen has supported building a strong West Australian and connected National deafblind community over the years.

Lauren Ayton

A/Prof Lauren Ayton is a clinician-scientist with research interests in retinal disease, low vision and vision restoration. After completing her professional training in Optometry and a PhD at the University of Melbourne, A/Prof Ayton completed postdoctoral training in the area of ocular motor assessment in traumatic brain injury. She then took a position at the Centre for Eye Research Australia, where she was the Bionic Eye Clinical Team Leader from 2010 to 2017.

Between 2017 and 2019, A/Prof Ayton was the Director of Clinical and Regulatory Affairs at Bionic Eye Technologies, Inc., a USA startup company affiliated with Harvard and Cornell Universities. She now leads the Vision Optimisation Unit at the University of Melbourne and Centre for Eye Research Australia. Her team study the effect of retinal diseases on people’s everyday life, and ways that they can be supported. This includes medical treatments (gene therapy), low vision aids (such as tactile and auditory sensory substitution devices), education and other supports.

A/Prof Ayton has an international reputation in the fields of retinal disease and vision restoration, having been a lead investigator on both local and international vision prosthesis (“bionic eye”) programs, including Bionic Vision Australia, Monash Vision Group and the Boston Retinal Implant Project (Harvard). She is the founder and Co-Chair of the HOVER taskforce, which recently published gold standards on the assessment of patient outcomes in vision restoration trials. She also runs the VENTURE registry, which is a large natural history study to learn more about inherited retinal diseases.

She has published over 80 peer-reviewed articles, with a H-index of 28 and over 2500 citations. She has received over $6M in competitive research funding as a named investigator, including a highly competitive NHMRC EL2 Investigator grant (5 years, $1.5M). She currently supervises 10 staff and 4 post-graduate students.

A/Prof Ayton is a Driving Research Momentum Fellow at the University of Melbourne (2019 – 2024) and an EL2 NHMRC Investigator Grant (2022 – 2026). She was the 2019 Victorian Tall Poppy of the Year (Australian Institute for Policy and Science) and was awarded the University of Melbourne School of Health Sciences inaugural award for Research Excellence in 2020.

Madelene Rich

Madelene is the parent of 22 year old with CHARGE Syndrome. Madelene is the president of CHARGE Syndrome Australasia Ltd, which is a not for profit support group supporting individuals and families with CHARGE syndrome in Australia and New Zealand.

Meredith Prain

Dr Meredith Prain has worked in the area of deafblindness for over 25 years as a speech pathologist, project manager and researcher. She currently holds the roles of National Head of Research and Centre of Excellence - Deafblind with Able Australia and Project Manager, Deafblind Information Australia with SensesWA.

Amilee Myson

Your Story Disability Legal Service

Amilee is a lawyer at Your Story Disability Legal Service. Amilee has worked in human rights, mental health and disability law for several years. Her current focus is the Disability Royal Commission and supporting people to tell their story safely and with confidence to promote broader systemic change.